Certificate of completion: Professional Training in the Applied Use of Mindfulness for 12 – 18 year olds

Course Description

This is a 20 hour online training course which prepares participants to teach Mindfulness to 12 – 18 year olds. It is an experiential and practical course which firstly focuses on participants’ personal understanding of Mindfulness and the development of their own personal mindfulness practice. Alongside this, it introduces experiential mindfulness activities specifically developed for teenagers which can be slotted into the academic timetable. This course includes an introduction to aspects of Positive Psychology which once combined with Mindfulness obtains deeper and more longer-lasting results.

Each lesson is divided into two distinct parts: the exploration of various facets of Mindfulness from a personal perspective and from the viewpoint of the teenager. Personal Mindfulness practice is introduced from a theoretical and practical perspective which includes personal Mindfulness practice at the end of each session. Each new facet of Mindfulness from a teenager’s perspective is explored by introducing exercises which take between 1 and 5 minutes to practice. On completion of this course you will have the beginnings of your own Mindfulness practice which is an important component when passing on the learning. You will also be in the position to introduce simple mindfulness techniques to teenagers straight away. This course will bring you through each step of the journey from just giving it a go to full training for your school.

The initial lessons focus on cultivating intention, attention and attitude (the 3 axioms of Mindfulness). As the course progresses, teenagers are introduced to the breath as an anchor to handle difficult thoughts and emotions. Finally compassion and self compassion is introduced as a means to develop kindness towards themselves and others

This is a tutor led course and is carried out online in a user friendly manner – you don’t need to be online at a specific time – you self pace within each week.

Please note the course is open for a further two weeks after the end date should you require extra time to finish the course.

Who is this course aimed at?

This Professional Training in the Applied Use of Mindfulness is aimed at participants who are interested in teaching Mindfulness to 12 – 18 year olds. It will be of particular benefit to secondary teachers, school principals, learning support staff and youth workers. The Irish Mindfulness Institute will provide a Certificate of Attendance as evidence of further professional education

Research

An extensive body of academic research supports the benefits of mindfulness practice for mental performance, emotional wellbeing, physical health and more. Recent developments from the field of neuroscience show that mindfulness practice produces positive changes in the structure and functioning of the brain.

By incorporating Positive Psychology, you begin to focus more on what is going well in your life – this in turn stimulates the feel good hormones which produce better physical health, more optimism and increased energy. It also increases our capacity to overcome problems and make good use of everything that comes our way.

These are skills you need to keep yourself well and happy physically and emotionally, skills that help you to focus better, skills that help you to create energetic, purposeful and empowering lives for yourselves.

What makes the Professional Training in the Applied Use of Mindfulness for 12- 18 year olds unique?

Tuition on how to impart the gift of Mindfulness to 12 – 18 year olds is delivered in a flexible manner online

Our methods are based around games and fun in order to increase engagement and learning of the skills

In understanding the current workloads of teachers and youth workers, our methods can be slotted into current classroom timetables seamlessly

We provide you with tuition on developing your own Mindfulness practice and self-care

Our guiding Mindfulness in Education teacher is highly experienced in bringing Mindfulness to this age group

What are the requirements?

It is important for you to be able to find the time to do your own Mindfulness practice during the course – this aspect of the course will require a commitment of approximately 15 to 30 minutes a day

Each week you are required to complete a short assignment (approx 150 words) recapping on your learning